March 15, 2021

Page 1

Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com

Vol XXXI No. 98

DIMAPUR, MONDAY, MARCH 15, 2021 Pages 8 ` 4.00

India beat Eng by 7 wickets in 2nd T20I

Follow us on @Nagaland_Post

sports, Page 8

3 dead in bomb blast in Nepal

nagalandpostofficial nagalandpostofficial

international, Page 7

Rio, Patton, Zeliang meet NNPGs TO MEET NSCN (I-M) LEADERS AND PM IN DELHI Correspondent

KOHIMA, MAR 14 (NPN): In a significant development which has raised speculation on the expectation for an early solution to the Naga political issue, chief minister Neiphiu Rio, deputy chief minister Y. Patton including leader of the opposition (LoP) NPF, T.R. Zeliang along with three each from NDPP, BJP and NPF met with representatives of Working Committee of the 7-member Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) at Niathu Resort on Saturday. The meeting was reportedly convened by the chief minister and attended by 12 members and representatives from the WC NNPGs led by its convener, N. Kitovi Zhimomi. According to sources, the meeting was a follow up to the resolu-

tion adopted at the February Assembly session on Naga political solution. Speaking to Nagaland Post, Leader of Opposition T.R. Zeliang said the that delegation from the three political parties interacted with the convenor and re presentatives of NNPGs. He said the NNPGs were reminded on the concept of ‘one solution one agreement’ and to uphold the spirit of reconciliation as and when needed. Zeliang said it was also decided that the political parties will seek appointment with the Prime Minister through a request letter signed by leaders of three political parties NDPP, BJP and NPF. He also informed that the delegation has decided to meet NSCN (I-M) in Delhi before meeting the Prime Minister. Meanwhile, sources

informed Nagaland Post that NNPGs said reconciliation pre-solution was not an option as the other stakeholder-- NSCN (I-M) insisted that it should be on the basis of the Framework Agreement. The NNPGs however said reconciliation postsolution was pursuable. It was also learnt that chief minister is in Delhi for seeking an appointment with the prime minister. The other two political parties were expected to join the chief minister once appointment is made. The February assembly session adopted a four-point unanimous resolution wherein it endorsed and reiterated the past resolutions of the NLA on Naga political issue and resolved to work unitedly in facilitating the “Indo-Naga” political negotiations.

At least 39 killed in Myanmar as NSCN (I-M) asks Centre to Chinese factories burn: Report secure solution within FA

DIMAPUR, MAR 14 (NPN): Against the backdrop of delayed solution to the Naga political issue, NSCN (I-M) blamed it on the “unacceptable posturing of the Indian authorities at the Indo-Naga negotiation” and for which it was “constrained to let the people know” what had transpired between the Government of India and the NSCN (I-M). According to MIP, it has been five years after the signing of the Framework Agreement on August 3, 2015 at the PMO, New Delhi in presence of the prime minister, and witnessed by a host of his ministers and topmost officials. It said scores of NSCN delegation were also present as the world watched the live telecast of “one of the longest armed conflicts in South-East Asia being resolved across the table.” MIP reiterated that “the Framework Agreement is in public domain now” and clearly acknowledged the

“the Indo-Naga conflict is political and nothing else”. MIP said both sides have agreed to end the violent conflict and by solving it on the basis of “Shared Sovereignty(sharing of sovereign power), by respecting people’s sovereign right” and that “India and Nagaland will enter into a new enduring and inclusive relationship of peaceful co-existence of the two entities (India and Nagaland.)” According to MIP, the “enduring and inclusive relationship of peaceful co-existence of the two entities, means relationship is extra-ordinarily strong, sustainable and durable through trials and pains and the two are to remain interlocked though each maintains one’s own identity.” It further said, this means that “one is not within the other and one not completely away from the other either” and that both shall remain together as two entities as agreed upon.” (Cont’d on p-6)

2-day nationwide bank strike; Some govt employees yet to get salary services in Nagaland to be hit Correspondent

posits and withdrawal at branches, cheque clearance and loan approvals would be affected due to the strike. Public sector lenders, including State Bank of India (SBI) have informed their customers that their normal working could be affected at the branches and offices if the strike materialises. Banks have also informed that they are taking necessary steps for the smooth functioning of bank branches and offices on the days of the proposed strike. Banks also informed that they were taking necessary steps for the smooth functioning of its branches. In the Union Budget presented last month, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had announced the privatisation of two public sector banks as part of the government’s disinvestment plan.

COVID: India records biggest single-day jump in 84 days DIMAPUR, MAR 14 (NPN): India on Sunday recorded 25,320 COVID-19 infections, the highest daily rise in 84 days, taking the case tally to 1,13,59,048, Health ministry stated. The death toll increased to 1,58,607 on Sunday with 161 new fatalities, the highest in 44 days, the data updated at 8 am showed.

This is it!

“The media never understands whatever I say. That is the problem.” K Y M C

No new COVID case in State: No fresh COVID19 positive cases were reported from across the State on Sunday, keeping the total caseload at 12225. As on March 14, the State recorded 14 active cases while a total of 11966 persons have recuperated from the infection so far, Health department stated.

KO H I M A , M A R 1 4 (NPN): With Nagaland poised to witness its highest ever budget deficit this current financial year as additional expenditures outside of the budget were incurred during the period 2020-21 in addition to a dip in revenue, some government employees were yet to get their salaries. While employees of some departments have received the salary, some were yet to get them. When contacted, Finance department sources however informed Nagaland Post that there was no delay from their end as everything had been cleared. The

Farmers stir may continue till Dec: Rakesh Tikait ALLAHABAD, MAR 14 (PTI): The farmer agitation against the three central farm laws may continue till December this year, Bhartiya Kisan Union’s national spokesperson Rakesh Tikait said here on Sunday. Tikait made the statement while talking to reporters after his recent visit to the poll-bound West Bengal. The BKU spokesperson claimed the three central laws will lead to the closure of all small-time neighbourhood shops, leaving only big commercial malls to survive.

on salaries and wages had increased by 51.03% from Rs. 3274.16 crore in 201415 to Rs. 4944.95 crore in 2018-19 at a compound annual growth of 10.86%. The total number of government employees during the period 2018-19 stood at 123686, which comprises of 6.25% of the total population. State chief minister Neiphiu Rio, in May last year, had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking special dispensation to help the state tide over the crisis. With huge shortfall in revenue, Rio had expressed concerned that the State may struggle to pay even salaries and pensions.

Costlier construction materials Staff Reporter

D imapur , M ar 1 4 (NPN): Prices of various items have shot up during the past several weeks in Dimapur. Price of one bag of cement (50 kgs) has witnessed a steady rise during the past few weeks. Earlier a bag of cement was sold at retail for Rs.450 during January 2021. The price then shot up to Rs. 460 per bag by end of February and since the past few days, the price has again shot up to Rs.470 per bag. Prices of MS Rod, brick and sand have also risen steadily during the past few months.

PPO serves final reminder to AR to shift camp from Pangsha village DIMAPUR, MAR 14 (NPN): Pangsha Public Organisation (PPO) has served a final reminder to Assam Rifles (AR) for immediately shifting its camp from the vicinity of Pangsha village claiming that it was established occupying houses of villagers on the ground that it would be temporal. Urging the paramilitary force to keep its word, PPO through it media cell asserted that the force cannot keep on using the public as human shield. Mentioning that ITC Dan was established in 1996 and that currently all developmental

works were at complete standstill, PPO claimed that Pangsha public had no hand in the conflict and thus asked the government not to use the prevailing situation as an excuse for its inactivity. PPO stated that Pangsha people also sought rationale of the seven-time gun fight at Dan within five years from parties involved, the latest being on March 9, and claimed that prior to the breakdown of ceasefire between Government of India and NSCN (K), Pangsha people lived in tranquility and that ITC

DAN was peaceful. Claiming that from times immemorial the people have been living a self-sufficient and selfgoverned life with systems in place to deal with any threats, although lacking in modern technological advancement, PPO said this particular challenge of being sandwiched in battles was foreign to the people who were not party to the issue but victimised to a great extent. The Pangsha people also questioned the underground groups involved

Protesters carry an injured man as riot policemen and soldiers shot with rubber bullets to crackdown a demonstration on March 14.

China’s embassy described the situation as “very severe” after the attacks on the Chinese-financed factories. No group claimed responsibility for burning the factories. As plumes of smoke rose from the industrial area, security forces opened fire on protesters in the suburb that is home to migrants from across the country, local media said. “It was

horrible. People were shot before my eyes. It will never leave my memory,” said one photojournalist on the scene who did not want to be named. Army-run Myawadday television said security forces acted after four garment factories and a fertiliser plant were set ablaze and about 2,000 people had stopped fire engines from reaching them.

GPRN/NSCN clarifies

DIMAPUR, MAR 14 (NPN): GPRN/NSCN said it was constrained to issue a clarification and set the record straight to clear all accusations by a section of Zeliangrong community in connection with the alleged abduction and detention of two persons at its designated camp. GPRN/NSCN alleged that a large number of matured 30-year-old teak trees from a well-maintained plantation area under the jurisdiction of Kiyevi village in Aqahuto area, Dimapur district were found freshly cut and smuggled with impunity. It claimed that next morning, three timber thieves were caught in the same farmland with hand saws, machetes and rations to cut and steal more. Upon enquiry, the men said the owner had sent them for the job but no owner came to corroborate their claim. It claimed that these men were habitual timber thieves in the area and had been detained for intruding into the teak

plantation of others, cutting and smuggling timber, which were punishable under Naga customary law. GPRN/NSCN said it was unfortunate that while Zeliangrong Students’ Union Nagaland claimed the accused hailed from Lamhainamdi village in Peren district and were going to their fields, their confessional statement said otherwise, adding they were daily wagers from Rainglong village, Tamenglong district, and temporary residents of Jalukie town. Mentioning that till date the person who hired these men has not come forward, the group claimed that while Wisueo Liangmai and Wongkiyang Liangmai hailed from Rainglong village in Manipur’s Tamenlong district, the third person was from Jalukie village. It accused ZSUN of distorting the domiciles of the accused, cautioning that this modus operandi had serious ramifications for Nagaland in future. (Cont’d on p-6)

KIN appeals for unconditional release

Kuki Inpi Nagaland (KIN) has appealed to the GPRN/ NSCN for the unconditional release of two civilian reportedly being held captive at Khehoi designated camp. In a statement, KIN said that the matter could have been solved through mutual understanding and dialogue, pointing out that the duo had been held captive for nearly two weeks without any positive response, despite several appeals by various civil society organizations for their safe release. KIN said it was “utterly unacceptable at this point of time where everyone is craving for peace and at this juncture where we are on a verge of political settlement.” KIN extended full support to Zeliangrong Students Union Nagaland and urged all right thinking citizens to con(Cont’d on p-6) demn such act and prayed for the safe release of the duo.

‘Potentially hazardous’ asteroid to fly by Earth on Mar 21 30 days ultimatum to repair Peren-Tening road WASHINGTON, MAR 14 (AGENCIES): An asteroid predicted to be the largest to sweep by Earth this year will make its closest approach to the planet on the first full day of spring, according to NASA. But not to worry, because there is “no threat” that it will crash into Earth, the space agency assures. Dubbed 2001 FO32, the asteroid will come within 1.25 million miles of our planet on March 21, NASA said. While that’s approximately 5.25 times the distance between the Earth and

WHAT IS ‘ CLOSE APPROACH’?  A near-Earth object (NEO) is any small Solar System boy whose orbit brings it to proximity with Earth.

 Every month dozens of Near-Earth Asteroids come within 0.05 au of Earth - that’s about 4,647,790 miles.

 As they orbit the sun, Near-Earth Objects occasionally make a ‘close approach’ to Earth

 So NEOs are not necessarily currently near the Earth, but they can potentially approach the Earth relatively closely - therefore, a ‘close approach’.

(Source: EXPRESS)

DIMAPUR, MAR 14 (NPN): Banking services across Nagaland is likely to be affected on Monday and Tuesday in view of the nationwide strike called by the United Forum of Bank Unions to protest against the proposed privatisation of two state-owned lenders. It was learnt that banks in the State will cease work on March 15 and 16 under the banner of the Nagaland state unit of the UFBU. The bankers will rally at three different centres- SBI Regional Business Office in Dimapur, SBI RBO in Mokokchung and SBI Kohima main branch on the assigned dates, a UNI report stated. About 10 lakh bank employees and officers of the banks will participate in the strike, UFBU, an umbrella body of nine unions said in a statement. Services such as de-

delay may be from the individual department’s side, the sources added. As far as the Finance department was concerned, sources said that funds are disbursed depending on the requirement of various departments. Meanwhile, sources informed that in the recent past salaries were being disbursed by 8th of every month, as and when the Centre releases funds. Besides being a resource-crunch State and the government solely dependent on the Centre, the COVID-19 pandemic has only made the financial position more precarious. According to the CAG report for the year ended March 31, the expenditure

YANGON, MAR 14 (REUTERS): Security forces killed at least 22 anti-coup protesters in the poor, industrial Hlaingthaya suburb of Myanmar’s main city on Sunday after Chinesefinanced factories were set ablaze there, an advocacy group said. A further 16 protesters were killed in other places, the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) said, as well as one policeman, making it the bloodiest day since the February 1 coup against elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi. The Chinese embassy said many Chinese staff were injured and trapped in arson attacks by unidentified assailants on garment factories in Hlaingthaya and that it had called on Myanmar to protect Chinese property and citizens. China is viewed as being supportive of the military junta that has taken power.

the moon, it’s still considered close in astronomical terms. Because of that, NASA has designated it as a “potentially hazardous asteroid” . It’s expected to be the largest asteroid to zoom by Earth in 2021, with a length comparable to San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge. Astronomers have been tracking 2001 FO32 since it was discovered 20 years ago, said Paul Chodas, director of the Center for Near Earth Object Studies, which is managed by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

DIMAPUR, MAR 14 (NPN): Three student bodies have set a one-month deadline for the department concerned for repairing and renovating the 52-km dilapidated road from Peren to Tening with black-topping before the onset of rainy season In a joint statement, All Nchangram Students’ Union (ANSU) president Kibouwi Zeliang and general secretary Dithu Newmai, Zeme Students’ Union (N) or ZSU (N) president Aakam Pame and general secretary Dei-

chungbe Zeme and Tening Students’ Union (TSU) president Ngauphutlak Nrak and general secretary Kewiphibang Kambutta warned that failure to comply with their legitimate demand would not be tolerated and force them to pursue their own course of action. They also declared that in the event of any untoward incident, the unions should not be held responsible whatsoever. They alleged that successive governments in the State and the department

concerned showed their lackadaisical approach towards renovating the road in spite of repeated appeals made by the inhabitants of Peren district. Pointing out that the existing road was meant only for trucks, the three student bodies said with the onset of monsoon, which is on the threshold, it would look like a river, making it quite dreadful for the vehicles to pass. They said there were lot of potholes and cracks on the road. (Cont’d on p-6) K Y M C


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.
March 15, 2021 by Nagaland Post - Issuu